(GDF/IFEX) – In a statement released on 27 May 1998, GDF announced that it has discovered the existence of a document signed by a senior official of the Belarusbank (Belarus’ central bank). As the document shows, state authorities are instructed not to give information to the independent media. The full text of the document and […]
(GDF/IFEX) – In a statement released on 27 May 1998, GDF announced that it
has discovered the existence of a document signed by a senior official of
the Belarusbank (Belarus’ central bank). As the document shows, state
authorities are instructed not to give information to the independent media.
The full text of the document and GDF’s statement follow:
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Confidential
To be sent by E-Mail
Copy #1
Concerning the order of giving information to non-state media
In its Letter # 10-3-8/30 marked “For official use”, dated 4 May 1998, the
Central Bank states that in accordance with the concept of improving the
activities of the State media, and in accordance with the letter from the
Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus, dated 26 March 1998, it is
suggested that the
following measures be taken towards the opposition media:
and etc.) to non-state media;
financial source).
The heads of the branches are responsible for the implementation of these
instructions.
Chief of the Department
S.A. Usarov
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On 26 March 1998, a letter “to intensify the counter-propaganda against the
opposition media” was sent to state agencies. The letter contained reference
to the unplublished letter from the President of Belarus dated 17 May 1998.
The 17 May letter orders state officials not to provide official documents
to non-state media, nor to comment on documents for them. In addition, state
institutions and enterprises are forbidden to place advertisements in the
non-state press.
GDF possesses information on the implementation of these instructions by
bureaucrats:
On 14 April, D. Kisel, a journalist with the newspaper “Pagonya”, was
refused
information when Zinaida Sinelnik, the deputy chief of the Economic and
Marketing
Department of Grodno City Executive Committee refused to answer the
journalists’ questions on the results of Free-will Labour Day, which had
been held the previous week-end.
On 14 April, Maria Aismont, a correspondent for the newspaper “Narodnaya
Volya”,
applied to the Emergency Ministry of the Republic of Belarus. On naming her
newspaper, she was told that there were instuctions not to provide
information to the independant press.
On 16 April, V. Chertkov, the director of Tyazhmash (Heavy Industry)
Enterprise, gave instructions prohibiting providing the mass media with
information on the activities of the marketing and sale departments. It
should be noted that all information on the enterprises’ business contacts
and contracts for output and delivery of products can be obtained
exclusively from Chertkov.
On 16 April, Leonid Kozik, Belarus’ vice-premier, refused to talk with
S.Konopatskaya and O.Senturov, correspondents for Gomel regional television
and radio unit – itself a part of the National Television and Radio
company – until he was convinced that Gomel regional television and radio
unit were part of the State media.
On 20 April, Ella Boyko, the head of the Grodno City Tax Office, refused to
give current information on changes to tax legislation to Larissa
Vinogoraya, a correspondent for the Polish-language newspaper “Glos z nad
Niemma.”
On 20 April, Nikolai Kovalev, Chairman of the Smorgon City Executive
Committee, summoned Romuald Ulan, editor-in-chief of the “Smorgon New
Paper”, for a preventative conversation after the independant newspaper had
reported on the meeting of Gennady Karpenko, Chairman of United Civil Party
and Mikchail Pastukhov, an ex-judge of the Belarus Constitutional Court,
with representatives of regional parties and public movements. Kovalev
stated that “it is undesirable to publish material of this kind in the
newspaper”; should journalists not follow the advice, “we shall declare war
on the edition.”
On 21 April, under the pretext of a lack of seats, journalists were not
allowed to enter Minsk Central District Court, where the case of a teacher
from Minsk secondary school # 37 was being heard. The school administration
made an attempt to dismiss the teacher for her political activities.
On 21 April, G. Aleshin, the head of the Emergency Situations Department of
Grodno’s Regional Executive Committee, refused to provide Irina Chernyavka,
a correspondent with the newspaper “Birzha Informatsiyi”, with information
on the investigation of the case of the bombing of the Executive Committeeâs
building. Alesin also advised the journalist to read the official press. The
same answer was given to I. Chernyavka, a journalist in the Civil Defence
Staff. Chernyavka was refused information on the results of the Young
Performers Contest from Mr. Zhabrun, the Deputy Chief for Cultural Affairs
of the City Executive Committee.
On 21 April, a correspondent for the newspaper “Naviny” tried to get
information on the results of the visit of Lieutenant General Alexander
Pavlovsky to Ukraine and on his meeting with Ukranian colleague Colonel
Vasily Kiptenko, who is responsible for contact with the press for the
Border Guards Forces Committee. The only information he would provide was
that “the meeting really took place.”
On 30 April, Mikchail Ignatenko, the head of the Department of Social
Problems, Public Relations, Political Parties and Mass Media of Grodno’s
Regional Executive Committee, refused to give a pass to the 8th session of
the Parliament Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia to Irina
Makovetskaya, a correspondent with the independant press agency BelaPAN, and
Nikolai Bondarenko, a correspondent for the newspaper “Tovarisch.” The
refusal was motivated by instructions given by Vladimir Neronsky, an
official in the Presidentâs administration.
In May, Mr. Sergeyev, the Mogilevenergo Director General, refused to provide
Ivan Tarasyuk, a correspondent for the independant republican newspaper
“Svobodniye Novosty”, with information on the annual results of the
enterprises’ activities. After finding out the name of Tarasyuk’s newspaper,
the Director General refused to give information on the profitability of the
enterprise.
On 10 May,Victor Valadaschyuk, editor of the newspaper “Gaseta Slonimskaya”,
asked the head of the Trade Department of Slonim City’s Executive Committee
for information. The latter denied the request and advised Valadaschyuk to
send a written request for permission to obtain information to Major
Laktyushin.
On 11 May, the head of the Novogrudsk militia (police) refused to give
information about the supposed bombing of Novogrudsk City Executive
Committeeâs building to Mr. Karnevich, the deputy editor-in-chief of the
independant newspaper “Birzha Informatsiyi.”
GDF wishes to protest against the flagrant breach of international
agreements signed by the Republic of Belarus, and breaches of the Belarus
Constitution, Article 34 of which guarantees citizens “the right to receive,
keep and impart complete, authentic and timely information on the political,
economic, cultural and international life and on the state of the
enviroment. The State authorities, public associations and officials are
obliged to give every citizen of the Republic of Belarus the opportunity to
get acquainted with materials concerning his rights and legal interests.”